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01 November 2018

Almost a year ago I switched from the iPhone to the Galaxy Note8 from SAMSUNG. Have I ever regretted it? NO! Quite the opposite. As described in the article at that time (HERE) I was enthusiastic from the beginning and this enthusiasm continues to this day. Even more. Since I have the new GALAXY NOTE9, it has even increased again, because the successor model comes up with innovations, which fascinated me.

(Note: The functions described in the Note8 article are still valid).

I do looooove taking pictures so the camera was, of course, the part that I paid all my attention to right away. And rightly so, because the camera has so many new functions that I could fill an entire, comprehensive blog post with this topic alone.

The camera and the image quality associated with it had already knocked me over with the Note8, but the Note9 adds another bonus. The intelligent lens with variable aperture automatically adapts to different lighting conditions, almost like the human eye. It selects F1.5 f-stop mode for vivid photos in difficult lighting conditions and switches to F2.4 f-stop mode for detailed photos in sunlight. In addition, HDR ensures that even small details remain pin-sharp in daylight and backlight, and reduces noise in the dark.

But there's more: the Note9 automatically detects 20 images (e.g. food, sunset, mountains, sky, birds, beach) and adjusts settings such as color, contrast, white balance and exposure to suit your needs. In addition, the camera actually points out everything that could affect the picture quality or the picture itself: closed eyes, blurring, a dirty object or too intense backlighting (which - as described above - is not a disturbing factor when HDR mode is activated).

The 12-megapixel dual camera with 2x optical zoom allows the telephoto and wide-angle lenses to capture complete scenes together, even when I zoom in or take photos with the Live-Focus (= depth of focus). And the double optical image stabilizer (Dual OIS) can provide pin sharp images, even if the camera wobbles a little.

A legitimate question that comes up is what's left to do with a camera with all these functions. Admittedly...to recognize the right motif and to press the shutter release, nothing more.

Apropos "pressing" the shutter release button. There is the selfie function. I think everyone knows which contortions you sometimes have to perform when trying to make a selfie in order to keep the desired image section while pressing the shutter release button. There are one - no, two - solutions for this with Note9.

1. delayed-action shutter release with palm recognition: I only need to lift my hand briefly. If my palm is detected, the self-timer is activated after a 3-second countdown (see picture).

2. the remote release via SPen. The Note9 has the SP with - and this is new - Bluetooth function. A click on the SPen button activates the remote trigger. This is particularly practical when the smartphone is further away, for example, because I want to do a group selfie. The remote trigger works up to a distance of 10 meters.

Let's stick to SPing right away. The small remote control in pen form is not only a mega feature because of the Bluetooth connectivity, but it can also be used to click through presentation slides (especially useful if the presentation is transferred to a larger screen or canvas via Samsung DeX). Videos (YouTube & Co) can also be paused or played with just one click on the SPen button. But if you want, you can also make user-defined settings.

All these features require a rechargeable battery. Hard to imagine, but SAMSUNG has actually managed to increase the battery performance again. The new battery has a capacity of 4000mAh. Specifically this means: I can manage with one charge not only one day but a whole 1.5 days and that, although I have my Smartphone constantly in use: taking pictures, surfing on Instagram, doing research, play online games and streaming music & videos.

Let me stick to the topic of video/film streaming (and all those who know me know that I am a junkie when it comes to tv shows and that this topic is very important to me). The Note9 has a clear benefit for this: the 6.4" Infinity Display (an almost frameless, full screen). With a resolution of 2960 x 1440 pixels, WQHD+ Super AMOLED technology, I can stream my favorite series on the go without compromising quality. Due to the 16:9 format the full screen is used - no black bars reducing the image size. Wonderful! Marvelous!

The sound quality is of course also important when enjoying my TV series: Does it surprise you when I say that there are no wishes left unanswered? Not really, is it? The integrated stereo speakers tuned by AKG impress with their dynamic sound and high volume. The Dolby Atmos surround sound, which can make the sound audible three-dimensionally in the room and which can be adjusted by means of four adjustment options, also provides the intensive feeling of being right there. Believe me, streaming becomes a true experience!

Let's talk about memory: The Note9 comes with an internal memory of 512 GB. Five hundred and twelve!

That's room for endless photos, videos & apps. But if it's not enough, then the memory can be expanded by another 512 GB of external memory using an external microSD card and you have - tadah! - a total storage volume of 1 TB (and a few crushed ones)! Savor this slowly: 1 Terrabyte!

The 512 GB is enough for me, so I use the slot of the microSD card for my 2nd SIM card. So I can be reached - like with the Note8 - on my two numbers (professional & private) without having to carry two smartphones around with me. That may not be a special benefit for many, but for me - and probably for everyone who has to deal with two smartphones every day - it's everything!

(Note: The Note9 is also available with an optional 128GB memory).

True to the motto "Do what can't be done", the SAMSUNG Galaxy Note9 opens up completely new possibilities that make life easier and more pleasant. And for that I love the Note9 endlessly! Thank you SAMSUNG!

* Thanks to SAMSUNG AUSTRIA for providing a sample of SAMSUNG GALAXY NOTE8 (without requesting any coverage). This article was written entirely by my own choice and reflects my personal opinion about the device.

04 Oktober 2018

When it gets cooler and I spend a lot more time in my home again, I set a high value on making myself especially comfortable. Room scenting is at the top of the list. A good fragrance immediately creates a cosy atmosphere for me. But not all fragrances are the same. The quality plays a special role. With scented candles I therefore always pay attention to the fact that they are high-quality candles with natural oils and from natural waxes, because I have no desire to inhale poisons (be it because of synthetic scents or because of other poisons, which are released by the burning).

At Saint Charles, at Gumpendorfer Straße 30 in Vienna, I recently stumbled across the diffuser 'ONA' by EKOBO, which introduces me to the next stage of room scenting. The nebulizing diffuser offers the most effective way to provide both aromatic and therapeutic healing with pure essential oils. Featuring a cold atomization technology, it does not require heat or water in its process, which maintains the oils' beneficial properties. Up to 90 square meters can be scented with the 'ONA, which is made of environmentally friendly bamboo fiber and FSC wood as well as mouth-blown glass.

Raffle: Want to win an ONA by EKOBO? Then take part in the raffle and with a bit of luck it will soon be yours. What you have to do: Leave a comment with your name here, on Instagram (@things_blog) or on Facebook (facebook. com/thingsblog) under the post about ONA. Legal recourse is excluded. No cash withdrawals possible. Entry deadline: 31.10.2018.

26 September 2018

There is no way around a belt bag in 2018. As a child, I had a nylon version in bright pink, combined with purple and turquoise (well... the 90ies). This year I decided on a much more elegant version: The leather belt bag 'Ivy' with gold details by AIGNER. Especially awesome: the 2 separate compartments - because that's the chance to tame the chaos inside a bag a bit, right?

Because a bag is indispensable for the completion of a look, but alone does not make an outfit, I grabbed the AIGNER jersey sweater with a logo embroidery of gold-colored lurex threads with small fringes. What I particularly like about the sweater is that it's super soft and falls well because it's made of a slightly thinner jersey. In combination with jeans and heels it gives a cool, unobtrusive look with a touch of elegance. What do you think?

04 September 2018

Champagne gold! This isKATIE G.'s new creation of a beautiful, bright yellow gold that is created by using more silver than conventional yellow gold alloys. As a rose gold fan I could not really acquire a taste for conventional gold so far. I didn't like it in combination with rose gold, it was simply too yellow for me. With champagne gold thing looks - in the truest sense of the word - differently. The delicate, light gold is a perfect combination. So it is only a matter of time until champagne gold jewelry pieces join my existing rings, chains & earrings.

30 Juli 2018

This year THERMALBAD VÖSLAU has again cooperated with a local label to expand the Thermalbad Vöslau collection by two pieces. This year it is the label P. LeMoult with whom a bathrobe and a jacket were created in cooperation. Both pieces, which are much too pretty to wear only in bathrooms or swimming areas. That's why I tried to integrate the two pieces into a street style outfit. Feel free to let me know what you think! ▼▼▼

04 Juli 2018

Last March I was invited to the breathtaking presentation of the new SAMSUNG QLED TV in New York. Since then, I've wanted this TV so much like no other ever before. A few weeks ago the "Q9F" with 55" finally moved in with us and all eyes have been on it since then.

Let's talk about the frameless design that makes the new QLED an eye-catcher and enables maximum television experience. And all this with a brilliance of colour and contrasts that I have never seen on a screen before. With more than a billion (!) colours and a 100% colour volume, the pictures look like painted. The "Direct Full Array Elite" technology accentuates the smallest details and controls each light unit individually. This way you can see darker areas even darker and brighter ones even brighter. Parallel to this, there is the "Ultra Black Elite" technology. This makes use of a very special anti-reflection technology covering the display and the panel itself. That minimizes light reflection to the screen. The result: an increased contrast level.

Simply put: With the new QLED you can see every detail - as if the scene were happening right in front of you in real life.

My favorite feature of the "Q9F" is the "Ambient Mode". This is an interactive background against which headlines, temperature and weather data can be displayed if desired. I use this mode every day in the morning as I get ready for the day ahead and enjoy my breakfast. If I also want to listen to some music, I add it by voice command. With "Ambient Mode", the TV can also be turned into a gallery, because I can run the photos I have saved on my smartphone. Whatever I decide to do, the times when the TV is just a big black screen when switched off are clearly over.

I find the possibility of transferring the back wall (whether white, coloured or e.g. made of brick) to the screen particularly exciting. If you do this you do not see the TV, if it is in Ambient Mode, at all any more (except for the very thin and discreet frame). With the SmartThings app, it takes just a minute. At the presentation in New York, this was demonstrated to us using a brick wall as an example, where the joints were perfectly joined to everyone's amazement. At our home, however, the function of transferring the wall to the screen is unfortunately not possible at the moment, because the TV is mounted directly between the cabinets and the app could not pick up the surrounding wall. But: The next flat, where I can adjust the furniture after the TV, comes surely (soon).

Then, when I will place the QLED on a wall where it will be the star, the "One near-invisible cable" appears to advantage. From the TV (which is also beautiful at the back because there are no outlets at all) only a single, thin, transparent and therefore almost invisible cable leads away, which leads to a box on which all plugs are located and which can be placed anywhere in the room. I wonder why no one has ever come up with this ingenious and obvious idea before. Bravo SAMSUNG!▼▼▼

There is also applause from my side for the remote control, with which ALL devices connected to the TV as well as all contents can be controlled. It also has automatic detection that connects and names all connected devices. How advanced is that?!

But there's more! The "Universal Guide" function analyses the content we consume and provides us with cross-provider suggestions. Gone are the days when we spend ages thinking about what to watch next. Classical zapping no longer exists with us after we have unsubscribed from TV and only use Netflix, Amazon Prime and targeted apps such as ORF Mediathek or Arte. LOVE IT!

Personal dreams of the future: Above I mentioned the SmartThings app with which the TV can be set up and controlled. This is the absolute basic performance because the app is actually intended to turn the QLED into a control centre for refrigerator, washing machine, light etc. - provided that the devices also have a smart function. The next washing machine purchase is imminent...and I can say with certainty that it will have a smart function and I am already looking forward to it.

Around the new QLED there are a number of wonderful additional gadgets such as the SAMSUNG Soundbar + "HW-MS750/EN"", which provides us with a completely new and full sound experience. Deep bass, thanks to built-in subwoofer, complete sound diversity thanks to wide sound coverage and surround sound expansion. We use it for steaming series and movies, of course, but also simply for listening to music, because it can also be easily connected to the smartphone via Bluetooth.

I also recommend the "No Gap Wall Mount". The name says it all. The no-gap wall mount hangs your TV flush to the wall, fusing it beautifully with your interior décor. But SAMSUNG, typically, also thinks in the other direction. If you want to put the TV anywhere in the room, you can choose between different stands. Well done, SAMSUNG. Well done!

26 Juni 2018

In the beginning was curiosity: How do you get these 'Oval Link Earrings' from MARIA BLACK through pierced ears? The answer is sobering: Just like every other earring, because there is a small plug on the front part which you just plug through a hole on the back part to fix it. No witchcraft!

After the curiosity came the love (okay, I admit, it was already on board in the curiosity stadium). I like golden statement earrings a lot these days. I also find them very practical because they enhance even the simplest outfit in no time at all and - in the truest sense of the word - give it a little shine. You just feel more styled with big earrings. The gold plated earrings in 925 silver are available in high polished gold, matt gold and rose gold. Note: The earrings are sold individually and not as a pair!

22 Mai 2018

I turn 38 in a month, which was reason enough for me to look for a new range of anti-aging face care products. Basically I got some good genes that don't make me look like 38, but a little support never hurts. I chose the DIOR series with the promising name "Capture Youth", because that's exactly what I want. The "Age Delay Cream" and "Redness Soother" have moved in with me (together with the "Dior Addict Lip Sugar Scrub", to which I owe my ever-soft lips), because the products aim to preserve the youthfulness of the skin instead of reversing the signs of time. Thanks to its high content of iris with antioxidant action and plant cross-linking, the cream reactivates the internal resistance process of the epidermis every day and at the same time ensures immediate smoothing. The perfect complement to this are the sera from DIOR from the series, in my case the "Redness Soother". Perfect for sensitive skin, this serum contains a blend of protective cotton peptides of natural origin to instantly soothe and smooth the skin. Iris is also one of the main components of serum. I have been using the serum and cream for a good 1.5 months now. My skin looks relaxed, fresh and even and feels soft and above all well hydrated. In my personal experience, I can recommend the series to you (it also smells incredibly good), but of course it is clear that each skin is individual and you need a different serum from the series, for example.

16 Mai 2018

Finally! Vienna has a salad bar. And no, I'm not talking about the rather unappetizing ones that can be found in various supermarkets. I'm talking about SALAD JUNGLE, a delightful little salad bar on Biberstrasse in the 1st district. There are five daily changing (mostly already marinated) salads that you can put together yourself as you like - for a fixed price of only €6,80,- for a bowl that is so big that I was completely full until dinner. And the taste? I could not tell which salad tasted best to me. Everyone was - for me - well marinated and had perfectly harmonizing ingredients. Be sure to drop by when you're around. Your palate will thank you!

02 Mai 2018

So there they were, all the questions that keep you busy in the time of wedding preparations: Where do we want to get married? Who do I want to celebrate this day with? What should the printed materials look like? And how the decoration on site? ... And then there were the questions "Who will do my hair because I'm marrying my hairdresser? (Spoiler: He (propaganda-haare.com) did... But it took me quite a long time to get used to the idea) and who will do my make-up? The second question was easy to answer. After wearing natural makeup in everyday life where BOBBI BROWN exactly fulfills my requirements, I also wanted a natural, type-appropriate make-up for my wedding... just a little more beautiful and professional.

BOBBI BROWN has an international artist pool and is also an American brand - so it was clear that I would simply send my request for a make-up artist for my wedding in California to BOBBI BROWN. With success!

I got the trial makeup in the store in Vienna, where the final look and the products used for it were entered into a stylesheet, which was then sent to Samantha, the make-up artist in California. Even though I didn't know Samantha and her work before, I always had a deep confidence that nothing could go wrong. Rightly so. Samantha came to the hotel on the wedding day, was well prepared, incredibly sympathetic and did the perfect makeup for me within only one hour.

ABOUT ME

I'm Katja and on my blog I show you things you don't need, but absolutely must have. These are mostly products from all conceivable areas. In the category THINGS TIPS you will also find services that deserve special attention. And in the THINGS TRAVEL TIPS there are also hotel reviews that make you want to pack your suitcases immediately.